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Loading... The Metamorphosis (original 1915; edition 1972)by Franz Kafka
Work InformationThe Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1915)
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There are a number of ways of looking at the Metamorphosis, but I like to see it as an allegory which represents the slippery slope of tempered justice. In the elementary example of a child who breaks her grandmother's vase and hides the shards under the rug on a fearful impulse, how easy it is for one to neglect one's morals and resolve to cover up one's wrongdoing. And once this has been done, would it not be too farfetched to say it would be easy for the child then to lie about the vase's whereabouts when questioned about it, and thus dive further down the rabbit hole of sin? We often treat justice the same way, especially when our reputations or egos are threatened. Guilt may keep us at bay for a while, but time and familiarity are the greatest killers of one's conscience, and eventually it disappears altogether. (potential spoiler) This is the kind of creeping normality which happens to Gregor Samsa's family, and it is what causes them to squash the bug at last and be done with it. ( ) The main message, for me, is that if we become attached to a familiar way of life, or dependent on a symbol of a particular way of life these can become monstrous. In this case, the family became financially dependent on Gregor. When he becomes a "kind of giant bug", the family goes through a metamorphosis. At first, it is the family that seems destined for complete collapse. These hardships lead to their disdain for Gregor. Ultimately they overcome these hardships and let the old life (and their attachment to Gregor) go. This release allows for growth, health, independence, and realistic hope for the future. This message truly resonated with me. The plot, on the surface, seems very simple; the protagonist (Gregor) wakes up as a giant bug one day and we observe the changes that occur within himself and the people around him. However, the subtext of this novella is packed to the brim with sophisticated elements of existentialism, tragedy, and societal pressure. Although this is a short read, in no way is it an easily digestible one. The story weighs you down with the hopelessness that the characters feel from the first page onwards, and it only gets worse. But, that is not to say that the narration is one-dimensional. Overall, it will be one of those stories that bug you (pun not intended) for a long time due to how tragic and depressing it is. Would recommend it to anyone if they're looking for an uneasy read. Metamorphosis is a masterfully crafted commentary on the frailty of human condition. It's compact and serves a perfectly formulated dose of surrealism to the reader while offering an immersive experience that is full of gut-punches, none of which feel forced or out of place. The steady transition of the dynamic between the protagonist and his family culminates in a situation where
35 livres cultes à lire au moins une fois dans sa vie Quels sont les romans qu'il faut avoir lu absolument ? Un livre culte qui transcende, fait réfléchir, frissonner, rire ou pleurer… La littérature est indéniablement créatrice d’émotions. Si vous êtes adeptes des classiques, ces titres devraient vous plaire. De temps en temps, il n'y a vraiment rien de mieux que de se poser devant un bon bouquin, et d'oublier un instant le monde réel. Mais si vous êtes une grosse lectrice ou un gros lecteur, et que vous avez épuisé le stock de votre bibliothèque personnelle, laissez-vous tenter par ces quelques classiques de la littérature. Belongs to Publisher SeriesCampaña Nacional Eugenio Espejo (Luna de Bolsillo) Clube de Literatura Clássica (CLC) (36.1 [April 2023]) — 25 more Columna Jove (30) Gallimard, Folio (74) Der jüngste Tag (22-23) Kleine Diogenes Taschenbücher (70006) L&PM Pocket (242) Newton Compton Live (21) Oriento-Okcidento (31) Reclams Universal-Bibliothek (9900) SFFaudio Podcast (223) Is contained inGreat Modern Writers: Three Lives, the Metamorphosis and Other Stories, a Room With a View, Death in Venice, a Portrait by Dover Publications Inc (indirect) The Metamorphosis, In the Penal Colony, and Other Stories: The Great Short Works of Franz Kafka by Franz Kafka Das Urteil und andere Erzählungen by Franz Kafka (indirect) La metamorfosi e altri racconti by Franz Kafka (indirect) The Transformation [Metamorphosis] and Other Stories: Works Published During Kafka's Lifetime by Franz Kafka Has the adaptationIs parodied inInspiredHas as a reference guide/companionHas as a commentary on the textHas as a student's study guideHas as a teacher's guideDistinctionsNotable Lists
Franz Kafka's 1915 novella of unexplained horror and nightmarish transformation became a worldwide classic and remains a century later one of the most widely read works of fiction in the world. It is the story of traveling salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect. This hugely influential work inspired George Orwell, Albert Camus, Jorge Louis Borges, and Ray Bradbury, while continuing to unsettle millions of readers. In her new translation of Kafka's masterpiece, Susan Bernofsky strives to capture both the humor and the humanity in this macabre tale, underscoring the ways in which Gregor Samsa's grotesque metamorphosis is just the physical manifestation of his longstanding spiritual impoverishment. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)833.912Literature German literature and literatures of related languages German fiction Modern period (1900-) 1900-1990 1900-1945LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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